Court Rejects No-Case Plea, Orders El-Rufai’s Ex-Aide to Defend N155m Charges

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has dismissed a no-case 3ee 3 by a former Chief of Staff to ex-Kaduna State governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, paving the way for the continuation of his trial over an alleged N155 million money laundering case.

The court subsequently ordered the former aide, Bashir Mohammed Saidu, and his co-defendant, Ibrahim Murktar, to open their defence, ruling that the prosecution had established sufficient grounds requiring explanation.

The directive followed a ruling delivered by Rilwan Aikawa, who held that the evidence presented by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) disclosed a prima facie case against the defendants.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the ICPC’s Head of Media and Public Communications, Okor Odey, the judge found no merit in the defendants’ argument that the prosecution failed to establish a case against them.

“The court held that from the totality of the evidence presented by the ICPC, the defendants have questions to answer and must therefore enter their respective defences,” the statement read.

Saidu, who also served as Kaduna State Commissioner of Finance, is standing trial alongside Murktar on a four-count charge bordering on money laundering under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The anti-graft agency alleged that Murktar, then a cashier in the Kaduna State Ministry of Finance, withdrew N155 million in multiple cash tranches from the state’s Exchange Gain Account. The funds were allegedly transferred through intermediaries for the benefit of Saidu in transactions said to have bypassed formal banking procedures.

The Commission maintained that the manner of the withdrawals and transfers contravened financial regulations and raised suspicion of proceeds of unlawful activity.

During the trial, which began after the defendants were arraigned in January 2025, the prosecution presented two witnesses and tendered several exhibits before closing its case.

In response, the defendants filed a no-case submission, insisting that the evidence led by the prosecution was insufficient to warrant a defence. However, the court disagreed, ruling that the materials before it required the defendants to respond.

The matter has been adjourned to June 22, 2026, for the commencement of the defence.

The ICPC reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing corruption cases to their logical conclusion, stressing that due process would be followed in ensuring accountability in public office.